2004 WRX STI UK Car

05 scooby

05 scooby

Sunday Drivers
ISDC Club Member
Hi folks

Going to look at 2004 Wrx Sti tomorrow. It was a Uk import 16 years ago.
Hoping to be my first STI, a gift to myself for my 40th.
Just had a lot of work done on the rear. New Rear Subframe, anti roll bars, Bushes and associated components changed last year.
Also had 2 spots welded on rear also.
Just passed NCT.
Any advice what checks to do ? Seller being very honest that she has some surface rust underneath but none on arches or paintwork. Hes owned car since import 16 years ago.

Any input much appreciated.
 
shafts and tank look a bit crusty, expected at that age of course.

But would hint at other stuff, as usual make sure to check the back of the sills, behind the skirts if you can too.
Reach your hand up under the rear arch above the wheel and have a feel around the strut tower up high as the inner in there goes and is fairly hidden unless you stick your hand up.
If you can check the struts behind the boot trim that would be good too, and down in the pockets around the strut tower.
Where the wing meets the strut tower behind that boot trim will show signs if the inner arch is bad.
And usual check of the outer arch and down along the back door for bubbling as they rust from the inside out

The radiator mount at the front goes rusty very easily, you can see it underneath the radiator

After that check for the usual leaks on the rocker covers, behind timing cover, etc.

Not bad value for an STI if everything checks out, looks fairly clean otherwise tbh


Theres always going to be some level of repair and maintenance when buying an old car but buying with knowledge of what needs to be done is better than a surprise down the line 😆
 
Just give it a good goin over underneath and make your decision then, you'll spot any new parts fitted and with the guy having it 16 years its more than likely looked after..dont be put off by being told that this doesn't look right or that looks a bit off, you'll know yourself what's bad or whats just aged..
Anything that needs changing can be used as part of negotiations 👍
 
As Matthew said above check the shock towers. If they are rotten there is probably more rot inside of that. Its not every man that will want to take on that job to weld them. The area is very tight to weld up there. Good luck with the viewing it looks to be a nice car so hopefully it's solid in these area's. Screenshot_20260816-215951_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20260816-215717_Chrome.jpg20180727_190057.jpg
 
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I done a history check earlier and 2022 and 2023 Mots showed up lots of corrosion.
 

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Car would need a proper inspection if going buying it . Don’t know the car or the owner but the easy part is bolting on a few new parts Sills and rear wheel arches are a big area of rust and the rad panel .
Take the lower plastic door trim off as it’s only 3 clips and have a look into the sills from the factory holes in the top covered with a black sticker .
Most cars unless a fresh import are going to have some level of corrosion but it’s important to make sure it’s just surface not structural
 
I didnt get to view it after. God caught up today and yeaterday. How did you get on with it Michael? Chap seemed to be very genuine
 
Friend bought it checked all the usual places seemed solid cheapest sti ive seen in a long while had to check all the vins because it was down as a wrx in the uk but it was a real sti
 
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